Acts 28:1-31
Good morning everyone! We have reached the end of our Acts series. We will have the final message today, and it covers the last chapter of the book of Acts, chapter 28.
Carl left us with a cliffhanger at the end of chapter 27 last week. Taking a little further look back, Paul had been imprisoned in Jerusalem under accusation of the Jews. Their charge against Paul was that he had violated the laws of the temple and stirred up a riots, not only the one in Jerusalem, but many times throughout the empire. Neither charge was true. Paul had not desecrated the temple and he had not started any riots, though others had started riots in an effort to discredit the message of the gospel.
So, Paul had been relocated to Caesarea which was still in Judea, but about 70 miles northwest of Jerusalem on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. He had been relocated by the commander of the Roman cohort due to threats against Paul’s life.
Paul then spent two years imprisoned at Caesarea under two different governors. Finally, he got his hearing before the Governor, Festus. These Roman governors were in a precarious situation. They were largely hated by the Jews but were expected to rule over them and maintain the peace. As a result Felix wanted to do the Jewish leaders a favor and let Paul be taken back to Jerusalem for trial. Paul knowing well the situation in Jerusalem makes an appeal to Caesar. Since Paul was a Roman citizen, this was his right. And so, the journey to Rome began in chapter 27.
It was not a good time of year for traveling as they were heading into the stormy winter months. The captain of the ship they were traveling on kept trying to find a way to make things work out, first to complete the journey, and then to find a good harbor to winter in. Ultimately, as they were moving along the southern coast of the island of Crete, they were swept out to sea in a storm which blew them a distance of 500-600 miles due west over a two week period. That may not seem like an amazing passage, but keep in mind, they had no sails up, and they were dragging a sea anchor.
At this point, the 276 people on board the ship have quite nearly given up hope. They haven’t eaten; they don’t know where they are. At one point, the sailors try to find a way to get into the lifeboat and abandon everyone else. A sort of “every man for himself” attitude. It seems even Luke thought there was no hope for them. (27:20)
Paul steps into this leadership vacuum and encourages the sailors, soldiers and passengers. God has revealed to Paul that they will all be saved if they stay together in the ship. As they finally come near land with a reasonable place for landing, they try to bring the ship onto a sandy beach. Before they can reach it, the ship gets stuck on a sandbar and then begins to break apart in the surf. Miraculously, all 276 people on board are able to make it to shore. Some can swim, but many others get ashore hanging onto broken up pieces of the ship. Abd Chapter 27 ends, “In this way everyone reached land safely.”
With that, let’s pray and dive into chapter 28.
Father God, please speak to us from Your Word. It is our hearts desire to know You more. Teach us we pray, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. – Acts 28:1-2
The ship was lost, but everyone aboard the ship was saved. They have reached Malta, an island just south of Italy, and centered in the Mediterranean Sea. It seems like the storm has abated somewhat. Now it is just rainy and cold. Remember it is winter still.
Malta has been long inhabited. The Phoenecians were there, the Greeks, the Carthaginians, and the Romans.
It is interesting that Luke considered it an unusual kindness that they helped the survivors of the shipwreck. Keep in mind that spirit of hospitality and openness because it will come up again.
Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live." – Acts 28:3-4
Despite the fact that he just survived a shipwreck, Paul is there helping and serving. Not only does the snake bite Paul, it doesn’t let go! People see what has happened. The inhabitants of the island have a kind of superstitious belief which is not uncommon regardless of place or time. If Paul gets bit by a snake after surviving a shipwreck, it must be justice. In this case, they attribute it to the goddess Justice. Clearly the people of Malta are a pagan people.
But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. – Acts 28:5-6
But rather than falling dead, Paul shakes off the snake and survives. Not only that, he suffers no ill effects. Obviously, it is a supernatural act, a miracle. And we see that their superstition and pagan beliefs lead them to conclude that Paul is a god.
Paul demonstrates a calm attitude in spite of a shocking situation. We also see his faith in God’s plan that a snakebite won’t take him away from that plan.
There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. – Acts 28:7
The hospitality of the people of Malta continues. Now, the chief official, likely a Roman or someone appointed by Rome, takes them in and cares for their needs for three days. Publius is generous in his display of hospitality.
The expression chief official is another one that Luke used which is accurate here even though it is not the most common one. The writing of the book of Acts continually fits to a document that was compiled at that time.
His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. – Acts 28:8-9
Paul’s ministry continues. Now as they have been helped, Paul helps the people of Malta. First, Paul takes the initiative to go in and see Publius’ father. This is not something that seems obvious to do. At least, I wouldn’t think about going to visit a feverish sick person that I don’t know.
I can imagine that there will be times where it is the right thing not to visit, but it is wise and loving to consider that there are times when it is the right thing to do to visit. Jesus encourages us to visit the sick in Matthew 25:36. Notice too that Paul goes in and prays with Publius’ father. Any of us can pray with someone, right?
Paul by the Spirit of God is able to heal Publius’ father and all the sick people of Malta. We don’t know how many that might have been, but I think it would have been a hundred or more people. These people and their families are no doubt greatful to Paul and I hope also to God.
They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island--it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. – Acts 28:10-11
The Maltese people are generous and kind. They are willing to give Paul and his companions supplies they need for the journey. But, there are no salvation stories among the Maltese people here in Acts 28 or elsewhere in scripture.
In Roman times, it was not uncommon for ships carrying grain from Egypt to winter at Malta. Malta was the second possible stop “on the way” from Egypt to Rome. It would also be possible to stop at Crete.
It’s curious that Luke draws out the detail of the Alexandrian ship. The figurehead is another evidence of the pagan beliefs. Castor and Pollux were regarded as patrons of sailors. The mention of them here may point to the fact that those taking Paul to Rome were still holding to their pagan traditions and superstitions.
We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. – Acts 28:12-14
Once they get out to sea, they travel in a series of short hops. First, they go north to the east coast of Sicily and stay at Syracuse. Then, they stop at the tip of the toe of the boot of Italy at Rhegium. The next day, they get a favorable wind, and move up the west coast of Italy toward Rome stopping at Puteoli.
At Puteoli, there are some Christians which is encouraging. We know from earlier in the book of Acts that Paul has not made any journey to Italy. So, these believers either came from another area or they were reached by others who had come to Puteoli.
They are invited to stay a week there. Luke is sparing with the details, so we don’t know what enabled them to have this opportunity. No doubt it was a blessing to fellowship with other believers there.
Puteoli was the main port for Rome even though it is 75 miles away. The journey from this point continues over land.
And so we came to Rome. The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. – Acts 28:15
We’ll read in a moment that the Jews of Rome had no information about Paul, so it is encouraging that that the Christians know about his arrival. I do expect that their accurate knowledge came from the believers at Puteoli where they had just stayed for a week.
I think Paul was also encouraged by the distance that the believers from Rome had traveled to meet with them. Three Taverns is 33 miles from Rome. The Forum of Appius is 43 miles from Rome. It was a couple of day commitment just to get down there to half and even more than half the way to Puteoli.
Of course, Paul gave thanks because he had the opportunity to fellowship with these believers. he had written to these believers while he was in Corinth, four years earlier.
When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” – Acts 28:16-20
While he was in prison in Caesarea, Paul was allowed to be attended by his friends, but it seems he was kept locked up there. Now, in Rome, Paul has another step up in freedom. He has a soldier with him at all times, perhaps even chained to him. But, he gets to live in his own house.
Paul wastes no time in reaching out to the Jews of Rome. He begins with the leaders. I don’t think he says anything that we haven’t discussed before. He does perhaps hold back a little, saying that he is in chains because of the hope of Israel.
It is worth noting that Claudius had expelled the Jews from Rome back at the beginning of chapter 18. That would have been about 9 years earlier. Claudius died in 54 AD, about 6 years earlier. His decree had been allowed to lapse at some point, and Jews were living in Rome once more.
They replied, "We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect." They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. – Acts 28:21-23
So, there has been no communication sent to the Jews of Rome regarding Paul. With the difficult passage and the shipwreck, it seems like there would have been time available for news to reach Rome if the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem had sent any.
I get the feeling that the Jewish leaders didn’t really work at communicating with or staying connected to other Jews throughout the Roman Empire. It seems they expected the dispersed Jews to return to Jerusalem for the key holy days, and that would be the connection point. And that would be if they thought about it at all.
Paul again spends an extended amount of time going through the scriptures, the Old Testament, seeking to persuade these Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. They do listen. At least, they stay with Paul for the whole day.
Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: " 'Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!" – Acts 28:24-28
I assume that the Jews were talking and even arguing amongst themselves, and it was evident that some were rejecting the truth when Paul gave them the words of Isaiah.
There is an urgency to the gospel. Psalms and Hebrews talks about “today.”
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” – Heb. 3:7-8
The Jews of Rome at least some of them are hardening their hearts. Paul doesn’t want the Jews to harden their hearts, but he knows that it will in large part turn out that way.
His last line here is a summary of the message of Acts. God’s salvation is for Jews and Gentiles, and the Gentiles will listen to the message.
For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ--with all boldness and without hindrance! – Acts 28:30-31
Paul is chained up, under guard, and yet the gospel message continues to go out. For two years, people are coming to see him there in his rented house in Rome. Paul makes the most of the time. He proclaims the kingdom and teaches about our Lord Jesus Christ.
How does he proclaim and teach? With all boldness and without hindrance. God has again brought Paul to a place where the message can go out without hindrance.
I feel like there is a need to talk about what happens after the end of Acts, particularly what happens to Paul. There is a fair amount of evidence which points toward his release.
The fact that Acts ends abruptly here makes release a possibility. In Philippians 2:24, Paul wrote that he was confident in the Lord he would soon visit them himself which anticipates a release. Paul also writes in several letters about things that happened which don’t fit within the events of the book of Acts. Finally, tradition says Paul went to Spain. There is no definitive evidence he did, but for that expectation to arise, a release here makes sense.
As during the book of Acts, the believers after the end of the book of Acts continued to proclaim the message of the gospel. Some would die a martyr’s death. Others would die of natural causes. Many would suffer. Some would be imprisoned. And still, the gospel message would go forth. Generations of new believers would follow the previous ones. The gospel continued to go out until it flowed across 2000 years throughout nearly the whole earth. And the message came to each of us.
While the gospel has reached many people groups, it has not reached all people. Also, the spread of the gospel is also accompanied by persecution. Today is the International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church.
The abrupt ending of Acts in the middle of the action also points out that the story of the gospel is ongoing. It’s still going, and it needs to keep going.
I would like us to take some time and pray together. Before we do that, let’s watch a short video that was put together by the ministry Spirit of Martyrdom. Then, I would like to share a prayer guide also put together by this same ministry.
Trust the story. God has a plan for us to do good works with Him. Paul trusted the story. Despite the shipwreck, despite the snakebite, despite being locked up for four years, the gospel went forth without hindrance and with all boldness.
Since the first Sunday of November is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, let’s watch a short video and review a prayer guide produced by Spirit of Martyrdom ministries. Then, we can take time and pray together for the persecuted church.
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